Joanna is a self-professed supporter of the Women's Liberation movement who enjoys photography and actively follows civil rights issues. Having recently relocated from the city to the suburbs, she struggles to balance her responsibilities as a wife and mother with her desire for personal independence. She maintains a critical eye toward the flawlessly dressed, house-obsessed women in her new neighborhood and actively tries to establish a modern women's social group.

Walter is Joanna's husband, initially presenting himself as a progressive partner who supports the Women's Liberation movement and helps with domestic chores. Shortly after the move to Stepford, he joins the exclusive Men's Association, claiming he intends to change its archaic rules from the inside. He works as a professional and gradually adopts more traditional expectations regarding his home life.

Bobbie is an energetic, sarcastic woman who lives in Stepford with her husband Dave and son Adam. She provides Joanna with immediate relief by maintaining a comfortably messy house and sharing her deep suspicion of the hyper-domesticated neighbors. She actively researches environmental and chemical theories to explain the strange behavior of the local population.

Dale is the president of the Men's Association and a dominant figure in Stepford's social hierarchy. He makes no effort to hide his voyeuristic enjoyment of watching women perform household chores. He maintains a tight hold over the male population in town and takes a particular interest in observing the newest female residents.

Ruthanne is a successful author of feminist children's books and belongs to the first Black family to move into Stepford. She writes stories about capable young girls who make their own decisions. She initially suspects her neighbors' aloof and robotic behavior is rooted in racial prejudice before learning that the town operates this way universally.

Charmaine is a wealthy Stepford resident who openly admits she married her husband Ed for his money and the luxurious lifestyle it provides. She strictly avoids housework and spends her free time playing tennis and reading astrology books. She actively dislikes the company of men and frequently complains about her husband's presence in the house.

Pete and Kim are the elementary-school-aged children of Joanna and Walter. They exhibit typical sibling dynamics, frequently fighting and demanding their parents' attention. They serve as the primary source of Joanna's daily maternal responsibilities and domestic workload.

Kit is a flawlessly dressed resident of Stepford who formerly participated in the now-defunct Women's Club. Despite her past involvement in community organizations, she now claims the club was useless and exhibits a disturbing, commercial-like enthusiasm for performing endless household chores.

Carol is the Eberharts' immediate neighbor in Stepford. She exhibits obsessive cleaning habits, routinely turning down social invitations in order to wax her floors or complete other chores while her husband Ted spends his nights at the local club.

Ike is a famous magazine illustrator known for drawing stereotypical, copycat portraits of women. During his visit to the Eberhart house, he spends the evening sketching Joanna, an act that leaves her feeling both flattered and uncomfortably scrutinized.